Distinguished - Selects a topic for the critical review and thoroughly analyzes its key features and pathophysiology.

Proficient - Selects the topic for the critical review and analyzes its key features and pathophysiology. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Selects the topic for the critical review and minimally analyzes its key features and pathophysiology. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Selects the topic for the critical review and attempts to analyze its key features and pathophysiology; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non Performance - The selection and analysis of the topic for the critical review is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the chosen psychiatric disorder in terms of neurotransmitter and receptor theories.

Proficient - Explains the chosen psychiatric disorder in terms of neurotransmitter and receptor theories. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially explains the chosen psychiatric disorder in terms of neurotransmitter and receptor theories. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the chosen psychiatric disorder in terms of neurotransmitter and receptor theories; however, significant details are missing.

Non Performance - The explanation of the chosen psychiatric disorder in terms of neurotransmitter and receptor theories is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the symptomology of the disorder and its relationship with the neurotransmitters involved.

Proficient - Describes the symptomology of the disorder and its relationship with the neurotransmitters involved. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially describes the symptomology of the disorder and its relationship with the neurotransmitters involved. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the symptomology of the disorder and its relationship with the neurotransmitters involved; however, significant details are missing.

Non Performance - The description is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the relationship between neurotransmitter and anatomic features and resultant symptoms.

Proficient - Explains the relationship between neurotransmitter and anatomic features and resultant symptoms. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially explains the relationship between neurotransmitter and anatomic features and resultant symptoms. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to the relationship between neurotransmitter and anatomic features and resultant symptoms. Minor details are missing.

Non Performance - The explanation is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.